How do you replace the holding tank vent on a 2000 2452 Ciera?-gctid814910

[BoatingBC!]

Hello everyone, hoping somebody here has been through this before. Last year while travelling up in the Broughtons and having a few guests on board, I noticed the odour from the holding tank was getting progressively worse, despite pumping out at regular intervals. Fast forward to an incident where I ended up wearing a bunch of black water at a pump-out station in Port McNeill during the same trip. I quickly realized the holding tank was getting pressurized. I used a clothes hanger to punch through what seemed like a 1/2 inch of compacted powder inside the holding tank vent which then crumbled.

Problem is I cant seem to fit my 6'1" 230 lb frame into the floor locker to access the fitting on the inside of the boat to remove the old and install a new vent. Am I forced to cut an access hole from the head to the locker area? The holding tank vent sits on the port side of our boat.

Thanks for any tips!

[LPurcell]

You should be able to remove the padded vinyl board mounted next to the port seat. Look for screws inside the top folds of the vinyl. Take the screws out and lift the panel off. Once removed, you can see down to the vent line (as well as the discharge line). Hopefully, you can reach them to loosen the clamps. Good luck and wear gloves!

[Guest]

I agree with other poster, that removing the panel on left side is first thing to try. On my old 1996 2452, that panel also had silicone holding it on in addition to the screws in the folds. So be possibly be prepared for that.

You could also look at installing a round access port in the area to reach it. In the locker under the port seat, or back wall of the head.

I was able to lay head first in the floor locker barely, being 5'6" and 150 lbs back then. You may have to recruit a friend to lend a hand in that case.

I replaced that vent with a stainless thru hull when the oem vent crusted up.

[BoatingBC!]

Hi Tckhan, I almost got stuck a couple of weeks ago, trying to fit my 6' 1" 235 lb frame into the floor locker.....thank God I got out! I like your idea of a stainless thru hull instead of the vent. Thanks for the tip!

[BoatingBC!]

Thank you Larry, I'll be working on that tomorrow. In the midst of trying to figure out why my engine is bogging down at 2800 rpm, not wanting to get up on plane.....Hopefully I'll figure that out tomorrow and get on the new vent install. Thanks for the tip.